Thompson Chain of Lakes

Note: It has been close to fifteen years since I did my research on the Thompson Chain of Lakes so I am sure the following article needs to be updated. Since I am now an aficionado of bass fishing with a fly rod, I look forward to updating this information.

MM 69 to MM 86: The Thompson Chain of Lakes, stretching along Highway 2 for 17 miles between Libby and Kalispell, quite possibly offers more fishing variety than any other stretch of highway in Montana. Nineteen lakes ranging in size from three acres to 1,300 acres, the chain boosts both warm-water game fish and cold-water trout. The area offers 60 campsites. Perch, pumpkinseeds, largemouth bass and northern pike cruise through Crystal, Horseshoe, Lavon, Little Loon, Little McGregor, Loon, Lower Thompson, Middle Thompson and Upper Thompson Lakes.

Rainbows, eastern brook and cutthroats can be located together or isolated in Banana, Bootjack, Cad, Cibid, Leon, Lilly Pad, Little Loon, Little McGregor, Loon, Lower Thompson, Middle Thompson, Myron, Rainbow, Topless and Upper Thompson Lakes. Compressed into a 17-mile stretch, sprinkle in kokanee salmon and browns and anglers have enough variety and challenges to last a lifetime. Best of all, some of the lakes hold huge lake trout in the 10- to 20-pound range; however, with the illegal introduction of pike to some of the lakes, trout and bass numbers have declined in some of the lakes.

What follows is a listing of the lakes starting with Loon Lake and progressing towards McGregor Lake, which is 28 miles from Kalispell. Camping is allowed only in the 60 designated campsites spread throughout the chain of lakes.

MM 100.7: Little Bitterroot Lake Almost three miles long and a half-mile wide, the lake is a recreational lake with summer homes and boating activities. Nonetheless, the lake fishes well for perch, kokanee salmon and nice-size rainbows.